Officer Arrested In Canine's Death [View All]

[Nomad559]

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/96635

The Chandler police officer whose police dog died after being left in a patrol vehicle for 13 hours has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Sgt. Thomas Lovejoy, Chandler’s K-9 handler and trainer, was booked into jail Wednesday on orders of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, sheriff's officials said.

“This was a difficult decision,” Arpaio said in a news release . “I am certain Sgt. Lovejoy has suffered greatly from leaving his police dog in a sweltering car. I do not relish the idea of compounding his sadness. However, Lovejoy must be treated like anyone else in similar circumstances. I have a strict policy on animal abuse and neglect whereby offenders are booked into jail.”

The sheriff's office didn’t learn of the incident until two days after the dog’s Aug. 11 death due to overheating. By that time, the dog’s remains were readied for cremation and the police vehicle cleaned. Once the sheriff's office determined that the location of Lovejoy’s home was in a county island, Arpaio sent out his animal crimes detectives to determine whether a criminal investigation should be opened.